Neillsville City Council Discusses Conditional Use Permit and Homecoming Activities
Friday, October 14th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM
The Neillsville City Council held a public hearing on a conditional use permit.
The building being discussed would be used as a transitional housing facility and a Zoning Amendment would go from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential at 16 Boon Boulevard.
It would be opened by Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth presented the applications, public notice of the public hearing was in the Clark County Press, and area landowners were notified.
Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Planning Commission at its October 3rd meeting discussed and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Zoning Amendment with three conditions and they are:
- That S.C. Swiderski be contacted and notified of this Conditional Use Permit Application and zoning change requested for this property;
- That S.C. Swiderski is willing to continue the development of property in the Boon Addition for additional residential housing units;
- And that the Conditional Use Permit be reviewed by the City of Neillsville after 18 months of LSS’s program operations.
Director of Public Works Friemoth stated Mayor Dewey Poeschel contacted and notified S.C. Swiderski of the Conditional Use Permit and Zoning change application requests and S.C. Swiderski has verbally stated and emailed confirmation that they are willing to continue the development of property in the Boon Addition for additional residential housing units and they are comfortable with the location and description of services that Lutheran Social Services has to offer.
Council Member Julie Counsell asked when they would be up and running? Joe Arzbecker, Lutheran Social Services Chief Operating Officer, stated that they have some capital improvements to be made to the building with opening by mid-year 2023.
Council Member John Perrine asked Chief of Police Jim Mankowski if he foresees any problems? Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he had contacted other Police Departments where LSS is located and he does not foresee any problems as LSS keeps a pretty close program.
Council Member Joe Neville asked if LSS was okay with an 18-month review by the City? Joe Arzbecker replied, “Yes”, if they would be checking to see if they are operating in the manner they said they would. The Council did approve the zoning amendment.
Chief of Police Jim Mankowski presented a Homecoming week synopsis (September 19 through September 24) of activities by the Police Officers who worked it and they are standing here. Chief of Police Mankowski stated he spoke with Police and Fire Commission Member Allan Hoesly in 2020 who told him about Homecoming and to let the kids have fun.
Veteran officers at the time confirmed the community standard. Using Retired Chief Brad Lindner’s playbook for 2020 and 2021 the officers were told to be as visible as possible so no one gets hurt and don’t overreact.
However, Homecoming 2022 was more active than they were ready for and we did not expect what happened. Mankowski stated toilet papering has been part of the community for years, meant to be a fun prank done to people they know (family and friends), and rarely malicious.
Mankowski covered common elements of trespassing, seriousness of the trespass, and whether notice was given by the owner or posted on the property. For officers to take immediate action, a signed agreement with the Department would be required.
Mankowski stated ordinance violations like: littering require a complaint; disorderly conduct is intent to cause a disturbance, public alarm or violence; toilet papering rarely causes public alarm, it is often a nuisance. A suspect has to be identified and the victim has to cooperate.
Mankowski stated Officers made every effort to maintain the peace and protect civil rights. Having between one and four officers versus 75 to 100 students is a challenge to pursue them.
Mankowski detailed foot pursuit situations, purposes and use (for criminal activity not ordinance violation or quality of life issues). Foot pursuits carry inherent risks to police officers, members of the public and the fleeing subjects. Safety is the Department’s priority.
There are environmental risks, concern of backup officer availability, and, if subjects are caught, the amount of force necessary. Mankowski stated he will be meeting with the School Board to recommend a Committee of Council Members, citizens, teachers, school board members and school administrators be set up.
Mankowski will be asking that a Deterrence Plan be developed or they break the Community tradition. Mankowski outlined what he needed moving forward, with good planning and community input, well ahead of homecoming will help eliminate problems over time.
Mankowski stated he believes the Officers did their best to de-escalate and keep the peace by utilizing the resources available. They will continue to improve, but they need the help and financial support of City leadership.
They are looking for ideas and feedback. Do you want change? Council Member Barb Petkovsek thanked the officers for stepping up to the plate and there needs to be a strong message sent.
Chief of Police Mankowski then reported on:
- Trainings;
- Purchasing a digital close-circuit camera system for the interview and interrogation room;
- Squad car maintenance;
- September parking enforcement;
- Citations, warnings, compliments, complaints, business checks and activities.
Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the Third Quarter 2022:
- The Department provided units for the Highground and City’s 4 th of July fireworks, Heritage Days parade and Fireman’s water fight;
- Directed traffic at Farm Technology Days;
- Provided a unit for the Mud Bog;
- Burnt brush piles for the City and Gun Club;
- Provided a unit for the Fair Demo Derby;
- Set up a truck display for 9-11 remembrance;
- Provided a truck for homecoming parade;
- Attended a Clark County Emergency Services meeting in Humbird;
- Attending Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Association meetings;
- Participated in a DNR mock forest fire burn in Black River Falls;
- And the Department responded to 17 calls (4-City: faulty alarm, lift assist, car vs. electric pole, vehicle accident; 13-Rural: tractor vs. semi with fatality, 2 structure fire, ATV accident, car fire, motorcycle accident, structure fire and rekindle, 2 vehicle accident, faulty alarm, vehicle rollover, lift assist).
Council Member Petkovsek reported on the September 27th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:
- Work on and referral of the 2023 Beautification budget to the Finance Committee;
- Discussion on Winter banner designs;
- Discussion on and approval of the Military Banner Program with the American Legion;
- Discussion on new benches for Town Square Park;
- Discussion on a Patriotic blend of flowers and plants for the hanging baskets and pots for 2023;
- And discussion on Fall decorating of flower pots.
City Attorney Wachsmuth read the minutes of the October 3, 2022 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:
- Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit and Amendment to Zoning from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential for a transitional housing facility at 16 Boon Boulevard, Parcel No. 261.1433.002, Lutheran Social Services, owner and applicant, with the following conditions;
- S.C. Swiderski be contacted and notified of this Conditional Use Permit Application and zoning change requested for this property;
- That S.C. Swiderski is willing to continue the development of property in the Boon Addition for additional residential housing units;
- And that the Conditional Use Permit be reviewed by the City of Neillsville after 18 months of LSS’s program operations;
- And discussion on and referral to the Grants Committee to investigate possible funding for a Cemetery Columbarium project and to report back to the Planning Commission.
Council Member Petkovsek reported on the October 3rd and 6th meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding:
- A closed session on Police Union Contract negotiations and non-union employees-adjourned in closed session;
- And a closed session on Police Union Contract negotiations, non-union employees and reviewing application for the City Custodian position-adjourned in closed session.
Mayor Poeschel reported on the October 4th, 6th and 10th, meetings of the Finance Committee regarding:
- Presentation of department budgets;
- Work on the 2023 budget;
- Adoption of the Wage Schedule for 2023;
- Reviewed major areas of revenues and expenditure changes;
- And recommendation of budget categories and levy amount of the 2023 budget to the Common Council for Public Hearing Thursday, November 10th at 4:45 P.M: Total budget $3,595,717-Proposed Levy including Tax Incremental Districts-$1,280,717-a decrease of $71,930.
Council Member Clough reported on the October 11th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:
- Current activities;
- And reviewed the Third Quarter 2022 Water and Sewer Financial Statements.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.